Optical node for mesh-type wdm optical network

Abstract

An optical node capable of supporting a mesh-type optical network is provided. The node includes: N ROADMs, which separate specific wavelength channels from a multiple wavelength channel optical signal that is input from any node constituting the optical network, allows the rest of the wavelength channels to be passed, and combine another added wavelength channel with the passed wavelength channel to allow the combined wavelength channel to be passed; an N×1 optical switch which selects the specific wavelength channel separated from one of the N ROADMs and inputs the specific wavelength channel into an optical transceiver and selects one of the N ROADMs and connects a wavelength channel that is output from the optical transceiver to the selected ROADM; and an electrical cross connect switch which drops a part of electrical signal bandwidth of the specific wavelength channels separated by the ROADM, which is converted into the electrical signals in the optical transceiver, toward an external client and combines the rest of the electrical signal bandwidth with a electrical signal added by the external client to form an electrical signal bandwidth of a wavelength channel and output the electrical signal to the optical transceiver. Accordingly, optical fiber inputs and outputs in various directions can be supported, and the number of WDM transceivers used for each node is remarkably reduced, thereby improving efficiency and economical efficiency of a network.